An Amazing Night with a One of a Kind Dance Troupe!

Last night, 04 April 2010, I attended the performance of an amazing dance troupe called HaKol Petuach (Everything is Open) at the Jerusalem Arts Festival. Their program was בריאת העולם (Creation of the World). The simple description of the program said:

The Jerusalem Art Festival stages an exciting performance, charmingly and professionally done, presenting the story of the Creation in words, movement and sound. With singer Adam and the Hakol Patuach dance troupe, the special group of the Jerusalem Municipality's Arts Division. Direction, choreography and costumes: Momi Gil. Producer and troupe director: Sarah Sharabi.

The program and the story behind this night is a film in itself! HaKol Petuach dance troupe is made up of severely mentally challenged, special needs children. At the start of the performance the Mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat stood and told the audience:

 All those who participate in the Jerusalem Arts Festival contribute to the mosaic of Jerusalem. Hakol Patuach shows that everything is possible.This dance troupe, reflects Jerusalem in 2011. Everything in Jerusalem is open for all levels of society to express themselves and we are so proud to have this troupe perform for us tonight. I usually don't stay at performances because of my schedule, but tonight I will stay to the end. Enjoy!

Day 1~Formless & Empty

The director of Hakol Patuach, Momi (Shlomo) Gil, was the first boy dancer for the Rubin Academy for Music and Dance. Momi was also the first boy to dance with the late Bracha Dudai, who was a major contributor to the hora, to the city of Jerusalem and to the art of dance. Bracha started the Hora Dance troupe, a Jerusalem group that has traveled the world, and is now led by Adi Gordon Rawlings (David's wife).

The Dry Land

Momi had spent many years as a dancer in New York, then returned to Israel to dance with Bat Sheva, critically acclaimed and popularly embraced as one of the most exciting contemporary dance companies in the world. He started a women's dress store in Jerusalem and his name can be found  listed in the credits for costumes and design of countless performances.

Let the Birds Fly Above the Earth...

It was eighteen years ago that Momi became involved with HaKol Petuach. Every week he has donated his time to the group--teaching, choreographing and then designing and making All of the costumes for their performances!

HaKol Petuach's first "show" took place in 2010--they performed a mere three dances. It was so successful that the Municipality asked them to prepare a full evening's performance for the Jerusalem Arts Festival 2011. Last night was the result of their hard work.

At one point the stage went black. A gentle rhythmic beat gradually increased as the lights came up. Seated in a semi-circle the group of various percussionists were drumming out a joyful sound. The precise beat filled the theater. A delighted audience enthusiastically joined in, clapping in time and bouncing in their seats.  Pure magic!

Family and friends of the performers, filled the theater, but many who attended had no idea of the unique experience they were about to undergo.

A review of the evening was posted by Voices Magazine, called Accidental Audience, where the author states "Tears poured down my cheeks."

Israeli Singer Adam

Indeed, emotion flooded the building--and how could anyone not be touched!

Words can not describe the unabashed joy these young people poured into their work and  through their efforts it flowed generously out to the audience who somehow knew that the hours of training, the rehearsals, the music, the backdrops and costumes had been wrapped together in a special gift of love--just for them. It left everyone with lasting memories.

It is Truly a Wonderful World

Popular Israeli singer, Adam participated in the show as the "Voice of the Bible". He then joined the girls onstage. They sang and swayed to the tune of "It's a Wonderful World",

The joy, and love of their craft displayed by  these performers had everyone convinced that we do indeed live in wonderful world . 


And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good...

David & Momi Backstage

For the past eight months my colleague, David has been following the  efforts of this special group of dancers. He immediately recognized the importance of this project both to the girls and society as a whole. David's goal is to help them create their own "house" in Jerusalem. The purpose of this house is to provide a place for severely mentally challenged children to learn to express themselves in a safe, warm and loving environment.

There are no bookings yet, but this show is going to go world wide. David said to me "I feel like Hashem has shown me that this dance troupe is of His making".

David and his friend Noel set up cameras and filmed the entire performance from back stage rehearsals to the finale. A DVD will be available soon. 

David is also working on a documentary for the group--this is a story that needs telling!